J Mater Sci Technol ›› 1999, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (02): 121-127.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Simulation of the Iron Smelting-Reduction Process

K.Sadrnezhaad, A.Simchi   

  1. Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, P.O.Box 11365-9466 Tehran, Iran
  • Received:1998-07-09 Revised:1998-10-17 Online:1999-03-28 Published:2009-10-10

Abstract: A computer program is developed to simulate a two-step smelting-reduction process. Laws of thermodynamics, kinetics, iron-oxide reduction, energy balance, materials balance and transfer of heat and mass between metal, slag and gas are taken into account for development of the model. Local equilibria between metal and slag according to the quadratic formalism of the regular solution model is considered. Dissolution of iron and its oxides in the molten slag and heat transfer from post combustion gases to the molten bath are numerically analyzed. The model is able to evaluate the effect of all important variables on productivity and effectiveness of the process. Special attention is paid to the operational conditions of the reduction furnace while working with the gases coming from a smelter with a high post-combustion ratio and a high reducing-power produced through reforming of the off-gases of the smelter with a natural gas stream in order to minimize the total energy consumption and to maximize the productivity. The application of the model to optimize the behavior of a two-stage smelting-reduction system is investigated.

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